Samsung ordered to pay up in smartphone battle with Apple

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Samsung ordered to pay up in smartphone battle with Apple

Judge Lucy Koh has upheld Apple's $1 billion jury verdict against Samsung, but spared Samsung treble damages for wilful infringement

In four orders delivered late Tuesday night, Koh said that a California jury's August verdict stands, but that Apple failed to prove that Samsung's infringement of its utility and design patents was intentional.

Apple had asked Koh to award an additional $400 million for wilful infringement to compensate for its loss of market share going forward.

But Koh said that Apple's arguments were "inconsistent". 

She wrote: "First, [Apple argues] that money cannot compensate Apple for the harm its lost market share may cause going forward, and second, that the Court should award $400 million to compensate Apple for lost market share. If an amount cannot be calculated to compensate for this loss, then it is unclear why $400 million would be an appropriate award."

Ars Technica author Joe Mullin said that Koh's order shows an attempt to limit the "crushing" effects of Apple's victory.

All four orders are available on Ars Technica. The decision is likely to be appealed.

Apple and Samsung are also battling in Japan over Samsung's August win in the Tokyo District Court.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Nick Aries and Elizabeth Louca at Bird & Bird unpick the legal questions raised by a very public social media spat concerning the ‘Brooklyn Beckham’ trademark
Michael Conway, who joined Birketts after nearly two decades at an IP boutique, says he was intrigued by the challenge of joining a general practice firm
The private-equity-backed firm said hires from DLA Piper and Eversheds Sutherland will help it become the IP partner of choice for innovative businesses
The acquisition is expected to help Clorox bolster its position in the health and hygiene consumer products market
AIPPI, which has faced boycott threats over the 2027 World Congress, says it has a long-standing commitment to engagement and geographic rotation
The shortlist for our annual Americas Awards will be published next month, with potential winners in more than 90 categories set to be revealed
News of Nokia signing a licensing deal with a Chinese automaker and Linklaters appointing a new head of tech and IP were also among the top talking points
After five IP partners left the firm for White & Case, the IP market could yet see more laterals
The court plans to introduce a system for expert-led SEP mediation, intended to help parties come to an agreement within three sessions
Paul Chapman and Robert Lind, who are retiring from Marks & Clerk after 30-year careers, discuss workplace loyalty, client care, and why we should be optimistic but cautious about AI
Gift this article